Gorkha development authority first meeting held

Alipurduar: Members of the development authority formed for
Gorkhas in the foothills held their first meeting at Dooars Kanya, the
district collectorate here, on Thursday.

They decided to take up
infrastructure development in the Gorkha-dominated areas of Siliguri
subdivision and the Dooars and initiate steps to help youths and
students of the community.

"We will carry out various community development works for the
holistic development of the Gorkha community. On one hand, the board
will coordinate with various state departments for introducing
job-oriented training for the skill development of unemployed Gorkha
youths. On the other hand, infrastructure like community halls, will be
taken up," said Mohan Sharma, the chairman of the West Bengal Siliguri
Terai Dooars Development Authority (Gorkha Community).

At
the meeting, it has also been decided that some draft proposals will be
prepared and placed at the next meeting of the authority in Nagrakata
on September 15.

Sharma said the board would also extend help to the poor but
meritorious Gorkha students so that they could pursue higher studies.
Also, artists would be provided with musical instruments for
conservation and promotion of the Gorkha culture and heritage, he said.

"We
also have plans to raise buildings on important cities and towns, where
accommodations would be provided at cheaper costs for the Gorkha people
who need to visit these places on different errand," said Sharma.

The
authority that has been constituted by the government to meet the
demand of the Gorkhas in the foothills - particularly after the state
formed as many as 15 development boards for the hill communities - has
already been provided with a fund of Rs 5 crore.

The Telegraph

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Members of the development authority formed for Gorkhas in the foothills held their first meeting at Dooars Kanya, the district collectorate here, on Thursday.